Mechanisms underpinning flourishing at the interface of humans and other natural entities: An umbrella review

Ecological-collective-flourishing (e-co-flourishing) describes interconnected flourishing of human and non-human natural entities. Despite existing conceptual frameworks, translation into practice has been limited by a lack of synthesis of empirically tested mechanisms driving change across human and ecological systems. An umbrella review of systematic reviews examining mechanisms at the e-co-flourishing interface was conducted. Searches of seven databases and four grey literature sources identified nine eligible reviews. Evidence supported several cross-domain mechanisms, including psychological (e.g., attention restoration, reduced stress), social (e.g., cohesion, contact), physical (e.g., activity), and environmental pathways (e.g., reduced stressors, perceived naturalness). Psychological mechanisms were most consistently supported with mixed evidence in other mechanism domains. Evidence for causality was weak, largely based on cross-sectional and qualitative studies, and no reviews examined reciprocal mechanisms affecting both human and non-human flourishing. Future research should prioritise rigorous designs, theory-driven testing, and replication to strengthen evidence for equitable and sustainable e-co-flourishing pathways.